International news

U.K. condemns Russia's actions in strongest terms

NicholasWinning

LONDON--Britain condemned "in the strongest terms" Russia's actions in Ukraine after President Vladimir Putin defied international pressure and recognized Crimea as an independent state on Monday.

"We will urgently consider our response to this latest escalation with our allies and partners, including at the European Council this week," U.K. Foreign Secretary William Hague said in a statement, referring to the meeting of European Union leaders later this week.

Mr. Putin's move comes despite repeated calls by President Barack Obama and European leaders for Moscow to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine.

Earlier on Monday, the U.S. and European Union announced travel bans and asset freezes on some Russian and Ukrainian officials and threatened tougher action if no progress was made to toward calming the situation.

Mr. Hague said that for Britain and its allies Crimea remained part of Ukraine.

"We are witnessing a clear attempt to pave the way for the annexation of part of the sovereign territory of an independent European state, through military force and an illegal and illegitimate referendum," he said.

Britain again called on Russia to begin talks with Ukraine and with the international community to resolve the issue through diplomacy and in accordance with international law, and not to exacerbate it further through unilateral and provocative actions, he said.

"Continuing to ignore those calls will bring serious consequences for Russia," he said.

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